A bill seeking to establish the Anambra State Real Estate Agents and Developers Regulatory Agency and address related matters has passed its second reading.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the bill, sponsored by the member representing Nnewi South I Constituency, Hon. Nonso Atuchukwu, was read for the second time during Tuesday’s plenary.
Leading the debate, Hon. Atuchukwu emphasized that the bill aims to sanitize and regulate the real estate industry in Anambra State.
“There are a lot of land disputes that have led to loss of lives. Some agents sell the same piece of land to multiple buyers,” he noted.
“This is possible because these illegal agents do not have known addresses, and victims have no agency to report to.”
Hon. Atuchukwu explained that if passed, the bill would establish an agency responsible for setting rules and regulations for estate agency and real estate development in the state. The agency would also identify qualified individuals for licensing, among other duties.
“There shall also be a Board of Directors that will formulate policies and ensure that the agency’s administration and operations strictly comply with the provisions of the enabling law,” he added.
Speaking in support of the bill, Majority Leader Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, along with Hon. Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha II), Hon. Tony Muobike (Aguata II), Hon. Emma Nwafor (Orumba South), Hon. Augustine Ike (Nnewi North), Hon. Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North II), Hon. Anayo Okpalaeke (Aguata I), Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Jude Akpua, Hon. Golden Iloh (Ihiala II), and Hon. Nobel Igwe (Ogbaru II), all described the bill as timely.
In their separate submissions, they noted that once passed into law, the bill would help regulate the activities of real estate agents and eliminate bad actors who have been extorting and defrauding residents of Anambra.
The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over the sitting, referred the bill to a joint committee on Lands, chaired by Hon. Jude Akpua, and the committee on Judiciary, chaired by Hon. Patrick Okafor.
Rt. Hon. Udeze directed the committees to report back to the House within three weeks.
